Glad Tidings

20/12/2010 - Online Supplement – Part Two

We recently received the sad news of the passing of Geri Ashmore loyal and dedicated member and secretary of MTS Hobart. Geri was a great friend and supporter of all seafarers that sailed

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into the Derwent River. Geri served on the Hobart committee for many years with dignity and grace and will be sorely missed. Our sympathy and best wishes are extended to Geri’s husband Mike, who will carry on at MtS

Hobart the family’s tradition of caring for all seafarers visiting Hobart. (In the image Geri is receiving from chaplain Bruce Mitchell her life membership certificate with husband Mike beside her).

PORT PIRIE CELEBRATES MERCHANT NAVY DAYPORT PIRIE CELEBRATES MERCHANT NAVY DAYPORT PIRIE CELEBRATES MERCHANT NAVY DAYPORT PIRIE CELEBRATES MERCHANT NAVY DAY

Pirie’s irrepressible lay chaplain Ian Pole reports that a moving and colourful Merchant Navy Day celebration took place this September in Port Pirie. In Ian’s words, “it was an opportunity and occasion to give thanks for those who paid the supreme sacrifice in time of war through their service to the

merchant Navy”.

Appropriately, Bishop Garry Weatherill led the celebrations attended by a number of reflective and appreciative former seafarers and descendants of those who had lost their life at sea. On another theme, Ian has pointed out the not insignificant number of

ships with international crews visiting the South Australian ports of Whyalla, Port Bonython and Thevenard; and has raised the question as to whether we might be able to support them in some way in the future. The Australian Council will consider the situation when it meets in Adelaide in the first week of February next year.

Brother Martyn Robinson, our chaplain at Wallaroo Port on the western side of the Yorke Peninsular has had an enjoyable and rewarding year setting up our new ministry at Wallaroo. The overseas seafarers visiting the port are in good hands when Martyn greets

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them as he served at sea in the merchant navy for many years before joining a religious congregation to become a religious brother. Martyn has instant credibility with the seafarers as a result of his track record at sea, and tells us that the ship visits to

Wallaroo for the loading of grain has been steady over 2010.

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Fremantle’s chaplain Dennis Claughton flew the MtS flag at an international conference for the world’s Harbour Masters held in Perth earlier this year. For Dennis it was a golden opportunity to promote the work of the Flying Angel Fremantle, and to also make better known to the conference the anticipated ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention and how it might impact on the Australian scene. Dennis received great encouragement from those attending - all of whom were very familiar with MtS’ work

around the globe and pleased to hear of the dedicated work our centres at Albany, Bunbury, Esperance, Fremantle, Geraldton, Dampier & Hedland on the Indian Ocean were carrying out.

We are also very aware of the need for us to establish a presence at Cape Lambert given the increasing number of visits from iron ore ships. Many a seafarer is left stranded at this isolated facility.

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Ian Porter, senior chaplain at MtS Sussex Street Sydney has announced that they have started the search for new premises in Sydney to which the mission will relocate. For many years the Sydney Bethel Union has been a wonderful

supporter of the Sydney Mission- both spiritually and practically and no doubt will continue to be so, long into the future we pray. It is hoped that for the sake of the many Chinese seafarers visiting us, the new premises are not too far from the

present - as the Chinese crews loved visiting our Sussex Street Mission so conveniently located next to the famous Dixon Street in Chinatown- and a hop, step and jump from Darling Harbour’s casino. Good luck Ian with the search.

It was a great pleasure to see Eddie Tearle, Peter Coulthurst, and Bob Graham from Hasting’s Seafarers Centre participating in the AMSA Seafarers Welfare Forum. Also present was the supposedly retired Keith

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Dann looking very spritely and in good humour. Eddie’s chairmans report to the AGM noted that Hastings has had a “slow year” but not without some incidents involving Hastings taken action to ensure visiting

seafarers got their due entitlements. Hastings centre which operates ecumenically is a wonderful example of volunteers from a number of different faiths working professionally and harmoniously together.

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The good news out of Geraldton is that Bill Ross has been commissioned as seafaring chaplain to MtS Geraldton. Bill brings to his Geraldton ministry consummate skills in the area of looking after seafarers. Our seafaring centre in

Port Hedland was lucky to have Bill with them for many years, and now it is Geraldton’s good fortune. Special mention should be made of the recent honour bestowed upon treasurer Daphne Dodd who in Bill’s words “has given a life time of

volunteering and treasurership to the mission”. God bless Daphne for her unique contribution- she is one special lady who knows how to care for seafarers (and balance books!). Daphne is third from the left in the image- receiving her award from the bishop.

“This is quite and honour” was the response, as the news came as a shock to the staff. Who had “dobbed” them in was the immediate question asked? As it turned out the world’s seafarers were asked to nominate their favourite centre by the International Christian Maritime Society. ICMA had introduced these international awards to

FREO FLYING ANGEL VOTED ONE OFFREO FLYING ANGEL VOTED ONE OFFREO FLYING ANGEL VOTED ONE OFFREO FLYING ANGEL VOTED ONE OF BEST 5 CENTRES IN BEST 5 CENTRES IN BEST 5 CENTRES IN BEST 5 CENTRES IN WORLDWORLDWORLDWORLD

promote the International Year of Seafarer. So the staff was comfortable with this at least. If the seafarers are involved it must be fair dinkum. As it transpired Fremantle Flying Angel club made the list of the top five centres on the planet. The others centres were Gothenberg (Sweden), Hamburg-Duckdalben (Germany), Venice (Italy) and Port

Everglades- Miama (USA). First prize went to Gothenberg but at least Fremantle can boast that they are the number one seafaring centre in the southern hemisphere (for this year at least)! So much for Dennis trying desperately to hide Freo’s light under a bushel. The secret is out. Visit www.seafarerswelfareawards.org for details.

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John Kewa when chaplain at Melbourne helped train visitors from PNG in the art of seafaring hospitality and ship visiting. John himself was born in PNG so was ideally placed to share his knowledge and passion for the ministry with appreciative compatriots

Attending the Perth Harbour Masters’ conference was the CEO of PNG Ports Corporation. Following the MtS presentation we were approached by Ports PNG to help them in setting up new seafaring centres at a number of major port locations around PNG.

The Australian Council was very happy to accept the invitation and has for part of this year worked closely with PNG personnel in helping them establish centres at Port Moresby and Lae (with another six centres planned).